1. Overview

You can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’. This means they can’t make a decision for themselves at the time it needs to be made. They may still be able to make decisions for themselves at certain times.

People may lack mental capacity because, for example:

they’ve had a serious brain injury or illness

they have dementia

they have severe learning disabilities

As a deputy, you’ll be authorised by the Court of Protection to make decisions on their behalf.